Northfield Public Schools, ISD #659

HUMAN RESOURCES

The staff at Northfield Public Schools are wholly dedicated to educational excellence and make up one of the most accomplished teams in the region. The Human Resources Department serves the current team and potential new hires.

The State of Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary plan that allows employees to place a portion of their earnings into a pre-tax deferred investment program. The taxes on money set aside and earnings are deferred until the time of withdrawal. This allows employees to defer present income for long-term savings to supplement retirement and other benefits.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Northfield Public Schools provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a benefit to employees and families through Sand Creek. This program is geared toward recognizing an employee’s problems and helping to find appropriate help. This service is confidential and is available to both employees and members of their household – at no cost to you. Call Sand Creek to set up a confidential appointment with an EAP counselor. The counselor, after assessing the problem, will help the client develop a plan of action. That plan may include recommending an appropriate resource or service provider, if special help is needed. Their phone number is: 1-888-243-5744. You can also visit their website at sandcreekeap.com

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PROGRAM

Beginning January 1, 2019, the Northfield Public Schools Flexible Benefits Program is offered through FURTHER. This plan is established to provide employees with a way to save money on costs for medical and dependent care expenses. It is a salary reduction plan permitting participants to choose among more than one benefit. It is classified as a “cafeteria plan” for Federal income tax purposes. There are three components to the plan: • Pre-tax premiums for insurance deductions; • Medical reimbursement account – $2,650 limit; • Dependent care reimbursement account – $5,000 limit. The reimbursement account allows you to pay for certain out-of –pocket health care expenses and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The employee is able to lower their taxable income because the money placed in the reimbursement account(s) is taken out of each paycheck before taxes are calculated and is not subject to Social Security, Federal, and in most cases, State income taxes. If you have questions regarding the flexible benefits program, please contact FURTHER service desk at 1-800-859-2144, or their website at: www.hellofurther.com

This is an employer paid benefit offered through Cigna. The amount of the policy is determined by individual employment agreements.

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

To better understand Long-Term Care insurance (LTC), it is helpful to first understand other types of coverage. For example, if you become disabled or unable to take care of yourself, Long-Term Disability will cover your lost wages. If you need medical attention, medical insurance pays for care and services you receive at the doctor’s office, or for non-custodial care received while in the hospital. But if you are no longer in the hospital and still unable to care for yourself, who will take care of you? Long-Term Care coverage can protect you if you become unable to perform two or more of your normal day-to-day living activities, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and eating. LTC insurance is designed to pick up where disability and medical plans leave off. For more information regarding Long-Term Care, please contact Tyler Frost with Educators Financial Services at 612-581-8376 or by email at: tylerf@efsadvisors.com

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

This is an employer paid benefit offered through Cigna.

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE

Supplemental life insurance is available to all eligible employees. This benefit is offered through Cigna and can be purchased in increments of $25,000 up to a maximum of $100,000 subject to carrier approval. The cost of this benefit is $.14 per one thousand in coverage.Term Life Insurance How Much do you need? – Estimator[

VISION COVERAGE

Effective January 1, 2018, Northfield Public Schools will offer vision coverage through VSP. Please see the information below for further details!

Employees of Northfield Public Schools are eligible to participate in 403(b) tax sheltered accounts as established pursuant to United States Public Law N. 98-370. Please see below for a list of eligible vendors. Application to participate, change or terminate a tax sheltered account must be made on a Salary Reduction Form. Amounts withheld from salary and paid for the purchase of a tax-sheltered account shall comply with provisions under Section 403(b) of the IRS Code as amended and with Minnesota Statute.

All Employees of Northfield Public Schools covered through our Cigna Life and AD&D insurance are eligible many free services provided by Cigna. Some of the programs available include: will preparation and estate planning, travel protection though Cigna Secure Travel, health and wellness discounts, identity theft protection, and the Cignassurance program. Cignassurance provides financial, bereavement, and legal support for your loved ones during their time of need.